consonant

IPA/ˈkɒnsənənt/

KK[kˈɑnsənənt]IPA/ˈkɑːnsənənt/

consonantsingular
consonantsplural

1.nounB1

Definition

a sound produced when the breath from your lungs is partly or fully blocked by your lips, tongue, or teeth, or a written sign that stands for such a sound

Example

The word 'dog' begins with a consonant, but 'apple' starts with a vowel.

countable noun; contrasted with vowel

Nicholas found it hard to say the consonant 'th' because his first language does not have that sound.

consonant as a specific speech sound

Common collocations

consonant sound
consonant letter
consonant cluster
double consonant

Antonyms

vowel
the other main category of speech sounds, made with an open airflow

Common Mistakes

English has five consonants in the alphabet.

English has twenty-one consonant letters in the alphabet.

The consonant letters are B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, and Z; vowels are A, E, I, O, U.

consonantpositive
more consonantcomparative
most consonantsuperlative

1.adjectiveC1

Definition

matching or fitting well with a particular idea, system, or set of beliefs; not causing any conflict

Example

The company's new rules were consonant with the values stated in its founding documents.

be consonant with + noun phrase

Jessica found that the job offer was consonant with her long-term career goals.

Common collocations

consonant with
fully consonant
not consonant

Synonyms

consistent
more common in everyday language; 'consonant' is more formal and less frequent
compatible
emphasises that two things can exist together without problems; 'consonant' suggests a closer, more harmonious fit
harmonious
more poetic; implies active agreement rather than just the absence of conflict

Antonyms

inconsistent
direct opposite; far more common than the antonym 'dissonant'
discordant
stronger; suggests active conflict or clashing

Grammar Patterns

be consonant with [noun phrase]

Usage Note

Almost always used with the preposition 'with.' The subject is typically an action, rule, or policy, and the object is typically a principle, value, or standard.

Common Mistakes

His views are consonant to the official position.

His views are consonant with the official position.

The correct preposition is 'with,' not 'to.'

2.adjectiveC2

Definition

describing a combination of musical notes that sounds pleasant and complete when played together, because of the way their frequencies relate to each other

Example

Tara preferred consonant chords in her piano pieces, avoiding the sharp sound of dissonance.

contrasted with dissonance

A major third is considered a consonant interval in Western music theory.

Common collocations

consonant interval
consonant chord
consonant harmony

Synonyms

harmonious
broader in meaning; 'consonant' is the technical term in music theory
euphonious
describes any pleasing sound; 'consonant' specifically refers to the relationship between notes

Antonyms

dissonant
the direct opposite; describes notes that create tension or an unstable feeling

Usage Note

Commonly contrasted with 'dissonant' in discussions of harmony. The most consonant intervals are the octave, fifth, and major third.

Common Mistakes

The consonant notes were out of tune.

The consonant intervals sounded pure because the notes were perfectly in tune.

'Consonant' describes the relationship between notes, not their individual tuning.

3.adjectiveC2

Definition

relating to a pattern in which the same consonant sound appears more than once in a line or phrase, especially in poetry or song lyrics

Example

The line 'sweet sleep soft falls' uses a consonant pattern with the repeated 's' sound.

consonant pattern with repeated [sound]

Lien noticed that the repeated 'l' and 'f' sounds made the poem feel gentle and flowing.

Common collocations

consonant pattern
consonant sound
consonant match

Synonyms

alliterative
more specific; refers only to repeated sounds at the start of words, whereas 'consonant' can apply to any position

Antonyms

assonant
refers to repeated vowel sounds rather than consonant sounds

Usage Note

Distinguish from 'alliteration,' which repeats the initial sound of words. 'Consonant' patterns can occur anywhere in a word, not just at the beginning.

Common Mistakes

The consonant sounds in the poem only happen at the start of words.

Consonant sounds can repeat at the beginning, middle, or end of words.

Unlike alliteration, consonant patterns are not limited to word-initial positions.

4.adjectiveC2

Definition

producing or having a deep, full, echoing sound that seems to vibrate and last for a noticeable time

Example

The old wooden hall had a consonant warmth that made every cello note sound rich and full.

consonant describing acoustic quality of a space

Maja's voice had a consonant depth that made everyone in the room stop talking to listen.

Common collocations

consonant tone
consonant echo
consonant warmth

Synonyms

resonant
far more common; both describe a deep, lasting sound, but 'consonant' is very rare in this sense
sonorous
emphasises a rich, imposing quality; 'consonant' in this sense focuses on the echo and fullness of sound

Antonyms

dull
describes a sound that is flat and lacks richness or echo

Usage Note

This sense overlaps partially with 'resonant' but is far less common. It typically describes the acoustic quality of a space or an object rather than of the human voice or musical composition.

Word family

consonance
nounC1
consonantal
adjectiveC2
dissonant
adjectiveC1
dissonance
nounC1
vowel
nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe things that go well together, but they differ in scope and tone. 'Consistent' is the most general and frequent: two things are consistent if they do not contradict each other (e.g., 'Her story is consistent with the facts'). 'Compatible' focuses on whether things can coexist or work together without problems, often used for people, technology, or systems (e.g., 'The software is compatible with older computers'). 'Harmonious' is more emotional and aesthetic, suggesting active blending rather than mere absence of conflict (e.g., 'The choir produced a harmonious sound'). 'Consonant' sits between them — it is more formal than 'consistent' and less poetic than 'harmonious,' and it almost always appears with the preposition 'with.' Use it when you want a precise, formal tone: 'The new policy is consonant with our ethical guidelines.'

consistent ↗compatible ↗harmonious ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

consonant sound
consonant letter
consonant cluster
consonant interval
consonant chord

Adverbs

fully consonant
entirely consonant
not consonant
completely consonant

Prepositions

consonant with

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'consonant-' meaning 'sounding together,' formed from 'con-' (together) and 'sonare' (to sound). The idea of letters that 'sound with' vowels led to its use for non-vowel speech sounds. The meaning of 'being in agreement' developed from the sense of notes that sound well together.

consonant

Common Mistakes

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

Entries near

Entries near

consonant

consonant — noun

1. a sound produced when the breath from your lungs is partly or fully blocked by y

Common Mistakes

consonant — adjective

1. matching or fitting well with a particular idea, system, or set of beliefs; not

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. describing a combination of musical notes that sounds pleasant and complete when

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. relating to a pattern in which the same consonant sound appears more than once i

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

4. producing or having a deep, full, echoing sound that seems to vibrate and last f

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

Entries near

Entries near